Germany will recruit 100,000 soldiers by 2029 in preparation for war with Russia: report
Germany is preparing to significantly expand its military by adding 100,000 active soldiers by 2029, according to a report based on new NATO goals. This move comes amid growing concerns that Russia may be capable of launching a large-scale attack on Western allies by that year.
Currently, Germany has about 62,000 soldiers in active service. The planned expansion will more than double this number, making it one of the largest military build-ups in modern German history. General Alfons Mais, the army chief, emphasized in a message to Chief of Staff Carsten Breuer the need for Germany to be "sufficiently ready for war" by 2029 and to fully meet its NATO commitments by 2035. He also called for an additional 10,000 soldiers to enhance regional defense.
According to estimates, Germany will ultimately need around 460,000 military personnel to meet NATO requirements, including 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius previously acknowledged that Germany is still below its 2018 target of 203,000 soldiers, with a shortfall of about 20,000 personnel. Nevertheless, the Bundeswehr has already deployed a brigade of 5,000 soldiers in Lithuania and has strengthened naval patrols in the Baltic Sea.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz linked security guarantees for Ukraine to the level of U.S. involvement. While U.S. President Donald Trump promised to provide air defense support to European forces, he ruled out the deployment of American ground troops. At the same time, Merz announced plans to strengthen the German intelligence agency "BND," pointing to daily hybrid attacks targeting German infrastructure, describing the current security situation as "one of the most dangerous situations in the history of the Federal Republic."
Russia has firmly rejected NATO's plans, warning that any foreign troops deployed in Ukraine will be treated as "legitimate targets." President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow's opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership, demanding Kyiv cede control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Russian military operation, which began in February 2022, continues to focus on consolidating control over eastern Ukraine and countering Western influence in the region.